3 Things Conservatives Got Very Wrong About Linda Sarsour’s Speech

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 01: Linda Sarsour, co-organizer of the National Womens March and one of TIME Magazines 100 Most Influential People is in the event of M Power Change social organization and the New York State Immigrant Action Fund bring New York Muslim communities together for an Iftar at Trump Tower during Ramadan on June 01,2017 in New York. (Photo by Joana Toro/VIEWpress/Corbis via Getty Images)

Conservatives are freaking out over a speech — rather, a misquotation of a speech — given by Muslim-American activist, Linda Sarsour.

Typically, any mention of Sarsour’s name is enough to make GOP blood boil.

She’s Palestinian-American, an outspoken critic of the Trump administration, and served as co-chair of the Women’s March on Washington, D.C. But recently, conservatives have gotten extra heated over a short clip of Sarsour’s July 1 keynote speech at a community luncheon in Chicago. In her speech, Sarsour invoked a word that non-Muslims greatly misunderstand and fear: “jihad.”

“She is openly calling for terrorism and needs to be arrested NOW!” one outraged user wrote. “Islamist Linda Sarsour calls on Allah to honor their JIHAD against President Trump at Hamas fundraiser,” fumed another.

Among all this outrage, though, is a lot of mis-information. Here is what conservative Twitter got very, very wrong.

1. That Sarsour spoke at a “Hamas fundraiser.”Sarsour was actually the keynote speaker at the Islamic Society of North America’s Community Service Recognition Luncheon. The luncheon took place on July 1 in Rosemont, Illinois. According to the event website, it was a gathering of “a prestigious group of the nation’s Muslim leaders, scholars and government officials” to celebrate “an individual dedicated to community service.” This year’s honoree was Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, the ISNA’s National Director and a prominent leader in the Muslim-American community.

2. The definition of the word “jihad”Many non-Muslims mistakenly believe the word “jihad” means “holy war,” when in fact, it means “struggle” or “striving,” according to the Islamic Supreme Council of America. “It can refer to internal as well as external efforts to be a good Muslims or believer, as well as working to inform people about the faith of Islam,” the Council said. “Jihad is not a violent concept. [It] is not a declaration of war against other religions.” Also, “The concept of jihad has been hijacked by many political and religious groups over the ages in a bid to justify various forms of violence … Scholars say this misuse of jihad contradicts Islam.”

In her speech, Sarsour quoted a passage in the Quran where the Prophet Muhammad explains that the best form of jihad or struggle is “a word of truth in front of a tyrant rule or leader …” Sarsour followed with, “I hope that when we stand up to those who oppress our communities, that Allah accepts that from us as a form of jihad, that we are struggling against tyrants and rulers…” She then cited “fascists and white supremacists and Islamophobes reigning in the White House.”

Though she did make a not-so-subtle reference to President Trump and his constituents, Sarsour in no way incited violence against them. In using the word “jihad,” she merely encouraged her audience to stand up to discrimination.

3. Calls for Sarsour’s deportationAccording to FindLaw, “natural-born U.S. citizens may not have their citizenship revoked against their will, but may choose to renounce their citizenship on their own.” Sarsour was born in Brooklyn, New York. She is a natural-born U.S. citizen and therefore cannot be deported.

The two-minute-long video that is circulating Twitter has been altered to show Sarsour in a negative light. To deflect a lot of the hatred she has received — and to clear up misinformation — Sarsour tweeted out a link to the original video of the speech in its entirety.

Right wing tries to demonize my leadership. Editing videos is their favorite pasttime. My full speech at ISNA https://t.co/4dcfC5pvC4

The full speech was posted to ISNA’s Facebook page on July 1st and is 24 minutes long. You can listen to it here.

The Islamic Society of North America did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.

15 Stars You Probably Didn't Know Were Muslim (Photos)

Friday, May 26 marked the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting in the Islamic religion to mark the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. Here are 15 celebrities you might not have known were Muslim.

Zayn MalikThe former One Direction singer hasn't been too vocal about his religion. He garnered a worldwide trending topic #respectforZayn when Bill Maher compared him to the Boston Marathon bomber.

Getty

Ice CubeThe former N.W.A rapper has said, "What I call myself is a natural Muslim, because it’s just me and God. You know, going to the mosque, the ritual and the tradition, it’s just not in me to do. So I don’t do it."

Getty

Ellen BurstynBurstyn was raised Catholic and then began her journey to Islam by practicing Sufi Islam. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore."

Getty

Mehmet OzBetter known as Dr. Oz, the TV personality hosts a talk show that discusses popular health concerns. Oz was named one of the 500 most influential Muslims in 2009 by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, a leading Muslim group.

TheWrap

Iman Mohamed AbdulmajidThe Somali supermodel (and widow of the late David Bowie) most commonly known as Iman is Muslim. Her name means "faith" in Arabic. She's said she considers herself Muslim even though she doesn't practice.

Getty

DJ KhaledIn an interview with Larry King, Khaled described himself as a Muslim and then said "I practice it, but I could do a better job.”

Getty

Aasif MandviThe actor-comedian, best known as a former correspondent on "The Daily Show," has openly criticized the fact that he has to spend so much time defending his religion instead of engaging in open dialogue about it: "I have a complicated relationship with my own faith."

Getty

Lupe FiascoThe Chicago native isn't one to be quiet about his beliefs, but the fact that he's Muslim is something many might not be aware of. In an interview with Katie Couric in 2014, he addressed the struggles of being Muslim while in the entertainment industry.

Getty

Mike TysonMuhammad Ali wasn't the only boxer who is Muslim. In an interview with Fox News, Tyson says "I'm very grateful to be a Muslim." He has also said "Praise be to Allah," in an interview following a fight.

Getty

Dave ChappelleOne of the most well-known comedians, Chappelle told Time Magazine in 2005, "I don't normally talk about my religion publicly because I don't want people to associate me and my flaws with this beautiful thing. And I believe it is a beautiful religion if you learn it the right way."

Fareed ZakariaThe host of CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS" says he is neither a practicing Muslim nor is he very religious, but he self-identifies as Muslim nonetheless.

Getty

Zinedane ZidaneThe legendary soccer star most known for exiting his career with an infamous headbutt heard around the world, is Muslim.

Getty

Busta RhymesThe Grammy-nominated artist is probably best known for rapping a mile a minute on some tracks. He has stated "I live my life by Islam and at the end of the day I think that's pretty much what grounds me."

Cat StevensBetter known now as Yusuf Islam, converted to Islam in the 1970s. Islam went on a pretty long musical hiatus after his conversion.

Getty

Omar SyThe French actor, best known for his role as Bishop in "X-Men: Days of Future Past," is Muslim. He was also listed in the World's 500 Most Influential Muslims publication in 2016.

Getty

1 of 16

A pop star, an Oscar winner and several rappers all identify with the religion

Friday, May 26 marked the start of Ramadan, a month of fasting in the Islamic religion to mark the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. Here are 15 celebrities you might not have known were Muslim.